HB 2463 - DIGEST

     Finds that the summer chum salmon evolutionarily significant unit of Hood Canal within the Puget Sound chinook salmon evolutionarily significant unit is in danger of extinction, and that other stocks of salmon and steelhead in Hood Canal have been drastically reduced.

     Finds that other species of fish, including ling cod, black cod, perch, and smelt, have been greatly depleted in the waters of Hood Canal.

     Recognizes that volunteers have restored miles of spawning and rearing habitat for these fish, but this pristine habitat is largely unused because of insufficient numbers of fish returning to spawn.

     Finds that a temporary closing of this body of water to fishing would help restore the natural balance of all these species.

     Requires that, by July 1, 2004, the department of fish and wildlife, in coordination with the tribal comanagers, must develop a definition of full recovery as it is applied to summer chum, chinook, and coho salmon and steelhead.

     Requires the Hood Canal coordinating council to report to the salmon recovery office as provided in RCW 77.85.030  on the status of summer chum runs after the harvest prohibition has been in place for two generations of summer chum salmon.  The first report on summer chum returns must be provided no later than December 31, 2007, and the second report must be provided no later than December 31, 2011.